YouTube TV To Discontinue Carriage Of Sinclair Regional Sports Networks As Discussions Continue
Sinclair Broadcast Group (Nasdaq: SBGI) announced that starting tomorrow, YouTube TV will stop carrying its regional sports networks (RSNs) due to an inability to reach a distribution agreement. This includes several FOX RSNs, meaning subscribers will lose access to prior recordings. Despite this setback, Sinclair is continuing discussions with YouTube TV to restore these networks. Barry Faber, Sinclair's President of Distribution & Network Relations, expressed disappointment but emphasized the commitment to keep the public informed about ongoing negotiations.
- Ongoing discussions with YouTube TV may lead to a restored agreement for RSNs.
- Sinclair's diversified media portfolio includes 23 regional sports networks and 190 TV stations, providing strong content capabilities.
- Loss of distribution on YouTube TV could reduce viewer access and advertising revenue.
- Subscribers will lose access to previously recorded content from FOX RSNs.
BALTIMORE, Sept. 30, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBGI) reported today that beginning tomorrow, YouTube TV will no longer carry Sinclair's regional sports networks (RSNs), although discussions continue. Despite a good faith effort by both parties to reach a distribution deal, Sinclair and YouTube TV could not come to a mutual agreement. As a result, the FOX Regional Sports Networks will no longer be available on YouTube TV and subscribers will lose access to any previous recordings from FOX Regional Sports Networks.
"While we are disappointed that YouTube will discontinue carriage of the RSNs, we remain in discussions in an effort to find a mutually acceptable path to returning the RSNs to YouTube TV," stated Barry Faber, Sinclair's President Distribution & Network Relations. "We intend to keep the public informed as to the progress of these discussions so that YouTube TV subscribers can make informed decisions regarding how to view the extremely popular programming carried on these RSNs."
RSNs that will no longer be offered on YouTube TV include FOX Sports Arizona, FOX Sports Ohio, Sports Time Ohio, FOX Sports Detroit, FOX Sports Wisconsin, FOX Sports North, FOX Sports Kansas City, FOX Sports Midwest, FOX Sports Indiana, FOX Sports Tennessee, FOX Sports Carolinas, FOX Sports Southeast, FOX Sports South, FOX Sports Florida, FOX Sports Sun, FOX Sports New Orleans, FOX Sports Oklahoma, FOX Sports Southwest and FOX Sports San Diego. YouTube TV previously dropped YES Network, Fox Sports West and Fox Sports Prime Ticket, and had also already ended carriage in many areas of the RSNs that YouTube TV is dropping tomorrow.
About Sinclair:
Sinclair is a diversified media company and leading provider of local sports and news. The Company owns and/or operates 23 regional sports network brands; owns, operates and/or provides services to 190 television stations in 88 markets; is a leading local news provider in the country; owns multiple national networks; and has TV stations affiliated with all the major broadcast networks. Sinclair's content is delivered via multiple-platforms, including over-the-air, multi-channel video program distributors, and digital platforms. The Company regularly uses its website as a key source of Company information which can be accessed at www.sbgi.net.
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SOURCE Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.
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